I have never done this before, but I thought it might be fun to go through all of my reviews of the last 12 months and see which ones really caught my eye, were groundbreaking, best of breed or just downright “cannot do without”.
Ultimately, I ended up with a list of 10 products / services covering a diverse range of software, hardware and services. Let’s see if you agree!
Best Bang for Buck
No question, and that is the editing package DaVinci Resolve. Why? What better than something that is free forever? And as a bonus, it doesn’t matter if you have a Mac, Windows or LINUX based computer, and it will even work on a suitably spec’d iPad. Finally, it has all the features and functionality you’ll probably ever need, and if you do want more, then the Studio version will get there for you and that to, once purchased, will be continually kept up to date with patches and updates at not future cost to you.
Best “Step Up”
Lots of magazines and reviewers choose their Camera of the Year, and its usually something exotic from Canon, Nikon, Sony or Panasonic and has a price tag the other side of $5K. I am not going to do specifically that, as to my mind, these cameras are out of the realms of mere mortals.
Instead, I am picking the camera I think is best suited for someone who wants to go beyond the smartphone but not have to mortgage the kids and the dog to do so, and I pick the Fujifilm XHalf. I still think it is a little overpriced at $1349 but as I say in the review, you get a lot of features for the money, and you can learn the art of photography and videography at your own pace to get the best from it.
PS: If I did have to pick a Camera of the Year, it would probably be the Canon EOS R6 MkIII.
Best Tech
No question. How the engineers at Blackmagic Design managed to cram so much tech into an app for a smartphone boggles the mind. Yes, it is the Blackmagic Camera available for free (again) for both iPhone and Android. Go and get it and see for yourself. You will never use the native camera in your phone again.
Best Shooting Accessory
OK they are not for everyone I admit, but a gimbal is a very useful tool in many circumstances allowing you to get nice smooth shots and also get your camera into positions otherwise not available.
The gimbal market in Australia is dominated by DJI, with Zhiyun probably running second. Each of these has a number of models on the market, with some designed specifically for smartphones, but the one I choose is the DJI RS4 Mini which is suitable for a wide range of cameras from GoPros through to medium size dSLRs and mirrorless models. It’s quite easy to setup, has an attachment for a smartphone and won’t break the bank at a list price of around $500.
Best Editing Accessory
I have been getting used to the RØDECaster Video for some months now and still learning new things. But for the single vlogger / podcaster or a smaller organisation like a church, it is possibly an overkill. So enter the RØDECaster Video S, a “cut down” version of the RØDECaster Video which at $799 is relatively affordable for that market. You get access to 4 video sources with 3 HDMI inputs and a USB-C port for webcams etc. You also have a single HDMI output and 2 mic inputs.
Like its bigger brother, you also get the scenes facility, chroma keying, graphic overlays, transitions and more, albeit in less numbers than the full on RØDECaster Video allows.
As well as its streaming functionality, as an adjunct tool to editing, you’ll find it makes a heap of difference too, improving and streamlining your workflow.
Best Engineering and Innovation
This was a no brainer whatsoever, and again, like the Blackmagic Camera, owes its brilliance to engineering. The Sennheiser Profile Wireless is actually a number of microphones in one and can be used with mobile phones, cameras and camcorders, or simply act stand alone.
In the main body are a pair of radio mic transmitters that are either clip on or magnetic with 16GB of backup memory. Or if you need a “reporter’s handheld” mic, slip the foam windshield over the end and voila! There you go.
A small colour LED panel and menu system lets you configure each mic and keeps you in touch with what’s happening. For $549, you get a LOT of mic for your money – no, I’ll rephrase that. You get a lot of audio system for your money.
Best Drone That Not A MAVIC 4 Pro
Without question, the best drone on the market right now that is suitable for photographers and videographers is the DJI MAVIC 4 Pro. The imagery from the 3 lens Hasselblad camera is breathtaking, it is easy to fly and can tolerate a lot of different wind conditions – there is so much to like.
But sigh, starting at $3K it’s not cheap (fully optioned it’s over $5K), and like the Canon EOS R6, this puts it out of the reach of many people, who in reality, would find it overkill for their modest needs.
I looked elsewhere then and thought “what if someone just wants to get into drone flying, take some video and photos while on holidays and has a modest budget?”
My initial thought was the DJI Flip, which is the drone I carry with me at all times in my backpack, but I changed my mind and chose the new NEO 2.
The NEO 2 is small, lightweight, has built in sensor protection complete with advanced LiDar systems and importantly can grow as you do. You can start out with just the drone, controlling it with hand signals, graduate to a smartphone app, move onto a dedicated controller with a built-in screen or go the whole hog with goggles and joystick controller.
And all this from a base price of about $400. Its bloody good fun too!
Best AI Innovation
I am not one to get all fizzy and excited by AI, especially when it comes into the realm of artistic creation. So many people get all ecstatic about what they have generated using AI tools in the form of music or video, but the term “AI Slop” is well founded.
I will say though that I think Adobe is on the right track with Firefly, its AI technology used in conjunction with other Adobe tools. I have used it on occasion when I cannot quite find an image I need, or I don’t have the deadline time to create it myself. It’s not perfect, but Adobe is quietly and behind the scenes honing its functions and accuracy without making too much noise about it, unlike other AI developers.
It’s worth a look.
Best Support
This I can answer from experience. It’s RØDE, an Aussie company to boot. Back in February the company announced it was offering worldwide 24/7 support.
I had a need of this when I was setting up both my RØDECaster Pro II and the RØDECaster Video, and I can say I have yet to find any support better than what RØDE gave me. And no, I don’t get journo preference as the tech at the other end of the phone has no idea who I am.
The One That Blew Me Away
Rarely do I see a product that promises so much and delivers on that promise in spades. Yes, there is a glitch in the control panel, but nothing I am sure a firmware update won’t fix, but this does not detract from the core function of the Sennheiser HDB630 headphones.
Giving you pure, breathtaking audio reproduction.
Yes, they are expensive at nearly a grand, and yes, the aforementioned glitch can be annoying (I am sure it’ll be fixed soon and its not there all the time), but as soon as you hear your favourite music through these cans, all will be forgiven.
The album I am guessing I have played more than any other is “Tales From Topographic Oceans” by prog rock virtuosos, Yes.
I have probably heard it a few hundred times over the last 40 years and know it intimately, but with the HDB630 headphones on, I heard instruments and passages of music inside the music (if that makes sense) I had NEVER heard before.
If you are a music aficionado, do your self a favour, find a shop that will let you test drive and take your favourite CD or record with you. I promise you will be astonished.
Conclusion
Of course, you may agree or disagree with my choices above, and I’d love to hear if you do and why. Let me know what you would pick as I am sure readers will also be interested in in what others can recommend.
Simply email me on david@creativecontent.au or leave a comment below.